#street-art

#street-art

The small artworks are the calling cards of San Francisco artist DraINvader, who's on a mission to cover sewer drain holes with something worth noticing. "The idea is, every piece solves a real problem while adding something beautiful," he said. For the past several months, DraINvader has been steadily installing his pieces on city sidewalks. Each customized square plate features a 3-D printed image, such as a butterfly, a Day of the Dead skull or Star Wars' R2-D2.

Outside an abandoned building in New Zealand's second-biggest city, a sign reads slightly haunted but manageable. In the middle of a busy shopping strip, pedestrians are warned to keep to a 2.83km/h walking speed. In another part of the Christchurch, one piece of signage declares simply don't. The baffling boards are not an overzealous new council initiative, but a piece of art designed to play with the way we take authority and signage so seriously.

The result is four watches that look like someone ripped pieces of graffiti-covered urban architecture and strapped them to your wrist. Designer: Hublot The idea sounds absurd until you see the execution. The cracks in the surface aren't flaws. They're designed that way, filled with glow-in-the-dark paint that shifts color depending on whether you're standing in daylight, darkness, or under the ultraviolet lights of a nightclub. One watch becomes three different visual experiences depending on where you take it.

John grew up in midtown Toronto where he spent hours exploring murals, sketching buildings and learning the stories behind neighbourhood landmarks. He was the kind of teenager who noticed new posters on lampposts before anyone else. His early love for urban culture eventually guided him toward studying Communications and City Studies at the University of Toronto. He often reflects on this time.

Our cities are full of grey tower blocks built for efficiency rather than aesthetics. Public benches are made of cheap concrete, pavements are falling apart, old structures are left derelict. Amid this backdrop of unloved, muted ugliness, a new wave of guerrilla mosaicists are enlivening their cities with beautiful, colourful designs. These artists rarely get official sign-off for their work.

A few blocks east of downtown, on Santa Clara Street in the masterfully rebranded East Village, I stop at Writers Bench, a small art space that speaks authentically San José. A rack of spray colorful paints, a case full of stickers, a t-shirt rack and a gleaming purple low rider bicycle surround a chessboard, set up and ready to play, in the middle of the narrow storefront.

The political drama continues unabated with a new prime minister (sort of), a new government which may or may not survive the week and a big climb-down from Emmanuel Macron. The Talking France podcast is available on Spotify or Apple. You can download it here or listen on the link below But the constant rollercoaster that makes up French politics at the moment is leading an increasing number of people to ask whether France's political system is fit for purpose.

In the village is a collection of 13 buildings that were previously used as a training centre for France Télecom. When the centre closed, they were bought by a local couple who created Street Art City, the world's only street art theme park. The collection of old buildings now forms an extraordinary canvas - 22,000 square metres, entirely covered in street art.

For more than two decades, French street artist Invader-born Franck Slama-has turned city streets into digital landscapes, reimagining the urban environment as a living arcade. His iconic 8-bit mosaics have quietly infiltrated skylines and alleyways in over 79 cities across 20 countries, transforming the familiar into something playful, subversive, and undeniably his. Now, in an unexpected yet fitting next move, Invader is bringing his unmistakable pixel art to the heart of Music City with his first-ever Nashville "invasion."

Street art thrives on scale, spontaneity, and public interaction, but two of its most recognized names, Francesco Camillo Giorgino (known as Millo) and Julien Malland (better known as Seth Globepainter), are proving that its magic can be just as powerful indoors. Together, the pair has launched Beyond, a collaborative exhibition that brings their mural practices into a gallery setting while maintaining the playful, immersive qualities that made them global icons in the first place.

Beyond is grounded by a vast map at the entrance of the show, charting the far-reaching and meandering paths both artists have taken across the globe. Though they've crossed paths before, the exhibition emphasizes their convergence once again at Goldman Global Arts Gallery, where their monumental works have been reimagined within the context of gallery walls. Both Millo and Seth radiate a childlike wonder within their works, evoking a sense of joy and curiosity.

The event will display exclusive new Von Dutch and Von Dutch Loves pieces and feature a giveaway of Von Dutch Loves Trucker Caps and t-shirts for the first 100 partygoers through the door. The event will also feature limited edition, bespoke Von Dutch artworks created on-site by street artist Dondy who's renowned for his bold murals and evocative portraits. Featuring sets from London house-music favourite Rossi, rising talent Delilah, with her blend of soulful house and brooding bass, and fabric regular Half Pint.

Located less than two hours from Santiago - the capital of Chile - is a beautiful coastal city that, in my opinion, falls under the radar when compared to other popular South American destinations. Nestled on the country's Pacific Coast, Valparaíso is known for its hillside houses, street art, and bohemian culture. Its historic quarter is even a UNESCO World Heritage site. My boyfriend and I took a day trip there from Santiago, but I wish I could have spent a night or two in the lively city. Here's why I loved visiting Valparaíso.

Where to drink in London after midnight - and why 'late-night drinking has become a luxury' The Drinks Business The Transport for London website and app crashed on Monday morning as Londoners faced a nightmare trying to get to work. Standard Former lollipop man of 23 years wants to keep his old uniform, but council won't let him South London Matters

Inspired by the legendary Banksy, a mysterious street artist who's long been daubing walls around the UK, the Gunners fan's moniker was always going to stick after his guerilla artwork began to be spotted alfresco, too. Some of his original works included a not particularly subtle KROENKE OUT' slogan, railing against Arsenal's American owner. Photos swamped social media when more graffiti appeared, admirers shared updates on what Northbanksy' had been up to.

The local artist transformed the long-abandoned Star Market in Somerville with art featuring a rat wearing a cap and overalls, adding a vibrant touch to the vacant property.